Pediatric Physical Therapy Services

What happens when my child receives physical therapy services?

1. An individualized pediatric physical therapy evaluation is performed.
2. Review of the evaluation with the family as well as a copy of the evaluation.
3. A therapeutic plan of care and one-on-one sessions with physical therapist.
4. Continuous support for the family, caregiver and child with a home program and recommendations of how to incorporate strengths into functional activities of daily living.

What happens in the physical therapy session?

• Usually the session will begin with gentle stretching if needed and sitting activities on the mat.
• Next, the child may be positioned on the exercise ball to “wake up those muscles”! This is the warm-up time.
• We may proceed to perform balance, coordination, motor planning and strengthening activities if needed or appropriate.

The therapeutic activities in the session are designed to help achieve the child’s individual goals. Goals change as the child progresses in her motor skills.

What happens in a physical therapy session with your baby?

Physical therapy for a baby involves activities which facilitate appropriate progression through the typical developmental sequence. For example, physical therapy would help the baby tolerate “tummy time”, learn to roll, sit, crawl, stand, walk, etc. Physical therapy would also facilitate transitions in and out of positions as well as assuming and maintaining positions independently.

Facilitation of movement by the physical therapist helps to create movement patterns which the baby incorporates neurologically so he or she may perform these movements independently.

A physical therapy session may include gentle stretching and range of motion exercises. Exercise balls are often used for positioning, stretching and strengthening, as appropriate.

Since babies learn movement through play and interaction with their environment, play and toys are a large component of physical therapy with this age group.

What happens in a physical therapy session with your toddler/young child?

Toddlers love toys! Play is a large component of our physical therapy sessions. Your child will be encouraged to achieve our therapy goals through play. For example, your child may practice stepping up and down a stool for strengthening while stacking blocks or completing a puzzle. Your child may be positioned in sit on a therapy ball while holding a toy phone or special superhero figure.

What happens in a physical therapy session with your adolescent?

Your adolescent’s physical therapy play would be based according to his or her special needs and goals. Physical therapy treatment is “hands on”. Sessions may include weights, Therabands, exercise balls, medicine balls, and balance equipment. Therapeutic exercise for strengthening, range of motion and stretching is individually designed and closely supervised.

Additional Services Provided at Kidz Motion

• Consultation on Adaptive Equipment
• Consultation on Orthotics
• Consultation with day care, preschool, or family members.

What are some conditions Kidz Motion treats?

• Bone fractures
• Gait abnormalities
• Ligament sprains
• Movement disorders
• Postural alignment
• Osgood-Schlatter disease
• Plagiocephaly
• Scoliosis
• Muscle strains and muscular disorders (muscle imbalances)
• Body and spatial awareness
• Proprioception awareness (spatial awareness of the body)